Fuel cartridge for fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cartridge with a deformable inner fuel container connectable to a fuel cell is disclosed. The pressure in the inner fuel container is controlled.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention generally relates to fuel supplies for fuel cells, and more particularly to fuel supplies that minimize pressure inside a liner within the fuel supplies. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Fuel cells are devices that directly convert chemical energy of reactants, i.e., fuel and oxidant, into direct current (DC) electricity. For an increasing number of applications, fuel cells are more efficient than conventional power generation, such as combustion of fossil fuel, as well as portable power storage, such as lithium-ion batteries. [0003] In general, fuel cell technology includes a variety of different fuel cells, such as alkali fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells and enzyme fuel cells. Today's more important fuel cells can be divided into several general categories, namely (i) fuel cells utilizing compressed hydrogen (H2) as fuel; (ii) proton exchange me...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] The present invention is further directed to methods of controlling pressure inside a fuel

Problems solved by technology

Compressed hydrogen is generally kept under high pressure and is therefore difficult to handle.

Furthermore, large storage tanks are typically required and cannot be made sufficiently small for consumer electronic devices.

When a liquid fuel such as methanol is stored in the fuel supply or in a fuel liner within the fuel supply, unwanted pressure may build within the fuel supply or the fuel liner.

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